LAPAROSCOPIC LIVE DONOR NEPHRECTOMY - THE INITIAL 3 CASES

Purpose: Successful laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy in 3 patients is described. Materials and Methods: The procedures were performed com pletely laparoscopically and the kidneys were extracted via 8 cm. infr aumbilical incisions. Results: In all 3 cases warm ischemic time was l ess than 5 minutes, and the renal vessels and ureter of the harvested kidneys were of adequate length for routine transplantation. Donors re quired minimal postoperative parenteral analgesia and were discharged home 1 to 3 days after the procedure. All harvested kidneys were succe ssfully transplanted, and functioned well initially and at hospital di scharge. Conclusions: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy may be an al ternative surgical modality to conventional open nephrectomy. Advantag es include less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and convales cence, and a more desirable cosmetic result. Additionally, these advan tages may encourage more individuals to consider live donation, result ing in an increase in organ supply.